“Yep.”
“So…”
“I want to hold her all the time.”
Gavin laughed and put his arm around her so he could hold her while she held the baby she’d wanted for so long. “Are you still hurting?”
“So bad, but it was worth it. She’s perfect, isn’t she?”
“Almost as perfect as her mommy.” He kissed the top of Ella’s head. “Now let’s put her down so you can get some rest. She’ll be awake again in a couple of hours.”
“I can’t wait.”
Smiling, he got up, took the baby and settled her in the bassinette. “Are you sure she doesn’t need a blanket?”
“No, the sleeper is her blanket. We don’t want anything else in there with her.”
He bent to kiss the baby’s forehead. “Sleep tight, little one.” Leaving her to sleep, he slid into bed with Ella and brought her head to rest on his chest. “Are you comfortable?”
“Uh-huh, but I just realized I never got to finish your Christmas present.”
“Yes, you did. She’s sleeping in her bassinette.”
“I made something else for you, but it’s not done.”
“No worries, sweetheart. I’ll still love it whenever you get a chance to finish it.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I love everything you’ve ever given me. You saved my life with your big love, my sweet Ella, and gave me the most beautiful little girl. You don’t ever have to give me anything else again.”
“I feel guilty.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m this happy when so many other people aren’t.”
“Enjoy this moment you’ve waited so long to have. This, right here and now, is all there is.”
Since he knew of what he spoke, she decided to take his wise advice.
Chapter Twenty-One
“In the end, the love you take is
equal to the love you make.”
—Paul McCartney
Linc was about to call it a night when Max came downstairs, poured himself a glass of the whiskey he and Elmer had opened and sat with them in front of the fire.
“Everything all right, son?”
“Sure, everything is great. I think all my siblings are currently having sex while I’m sitting here with you two.” Max took a big sip of the whiskey. “But yeah, I’m good.”
Elmer rubbed a hand over his mouth as if trying not to laugh.
“You’ll find your person, Max,” Linc said. “I have no doubt about that, and when you do, it’ll be a love affair for the ages.”
“Any time now.”
“You’re not ready yet,” Elmer said.
“How’s that?”
“You’re only twenty-three.”
“Mom wasn’t even twenty-three when she married Dad.”
“Touché,” Elmer said. “You’ve got all the time in the world. Look at Hunter. He was thirty-five or -six when he settled down with Megan.”
“I’m not waiting that long,” Max said. “That’s an eternity. I’m already sick of being alone.”
“You’re never alone in this family,” Linc reminded him.
“And I’m incredibly grateful for that, but you know what I mean. I want what they have.” He gestured randomly behind him, referring to his siblings, who were all in bed with their partners.
“You’ll have it,” Elmer said. “I have no doubt about that whatsoever. You, my dear boy, are meant for a great love.”
“When?”
“When the time is right.”
“How will I know when the time is right?”
“When you meet someone you can’t live without. Until that happens, enjoy being single and have some fun.”
“I have a one-year-old.”
“And plenty of babysitters,” Linc reminded him. “You never want to ask for help, but we’re always willing to give it.”
“Mom watches him all day while I work. That’s the last thing she wants to do at night.”
“Mom loves every second she spends with him, and so do I. If you hadn’t asked her to watch him while you work, she would’ve offered. In case you haven’t noticed, your mom loves kids.”
“Still… I don’t want to take advantage.”
Elmer leaned in, elbows on his knees, his expression intense but loving. “Listen to what your dad is saying, Max. They like helping with Caden. They would say so if they didn’t. So stop manufacturing issues that don’t exist. Put your son to bed, leave your folks in charge and go out and have some fun. You’re only going to be twenty-three once. Enjoy your life. The time for serious and permanent will come. When it’s the right person.”
“You promise?”
“I promise, and I’ve never broken a promise to you yet, have I?”
“Nope.”
“I’m not going to start now.”
“Thanks, Gramps. You’re the best.”
“Aw, thanks, but you should know I’m not going anywhere until every one of you kids is happy and settled, so take your time. Keep your favorite old man around a little longer.”
“I’ll do that. In fact, I may never get married if that’ll keep you here forever.”
“Nah, don’t do that. I want you to have what I had with my Sarah and what your dad has had with your mom, even if I wanted to kill him at first.”
Linc rolled his eyes. “Don’t listen to him. It was love at first sight between the two of us.”
“Sure, it was,” Elmer said, laughing. “The impertinence of him showing up holding my little girl’s hand.”
“The ridiculousness never ends around here.”
Listening to them had Max laughing when only a few minutes ago, he’d been bummed out at the realization that he was once again alone in a sea of happy couples. Leave it to his dad and grandfather to snap him out of the funk.
“I’m off to bed,” Max said after downing the last of his drink. He’d love to have another, but Caden would be up early, and he didn’t need to be hungover on Christmas.
“Walk me up, my friend,” Elmer said. “I’ve forgotten which room is mine, and I’m terribly afraid to walk into the wrong room up there and see something that can never be forgotten.”
Linc and Max laughed.
“Probably a good idea,” Linc said.
“Come on, Gramps. I’ll get you settled with no trauma.”
“Appreciate that. Linc, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you then. In the meantime, I’m going to snuggle with your daughter.”
“Impertinent ass,” Elmer muttered.
Max laughed. “That’s just a rude thing to say to your father-in-law, Dad.”
“I know. Why do you think I said it?”
“You see what I’ve had to deal with all these years, my boy?”
“I see, Gramps. It hasn’t been easy being you with those two to deal with.”
“Not easy at all.”